U18s Report: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Palace

22 October 2016

Palace’s academy side lost back-to-back games for the first time this season as they were beaten by Bolton Wanderers in Lancashire, having fallen to a remarkable 6-5 loss to Nottingham Forest the weekend before.

Manager Ken Gillard was able to name Jalen Jones and Kyle Lynch in his line-up again, and saw his side start very brightly with some good link-up play between Jason Lokilo, Levi Lumeka and Francis Jno Baptiste producing an early chance for the latter but it was saved, and then there were long-range strikes from Giovanni McGregor and Lokilo as Palace turned the screw early on.

However despite their pressure they fell behind when Alex Samizadeh cut inside skilfully from the left and managed to nod the ball goalwards which was saved by Colm McAdden, however the rebound was tucked home from close-range by Jack Everest to hand Wanderers the lead.

It was so close to being level at half-time when McGregor looked like he had hammered home a fantastic strike from distance, but keeper Jake Turner managed to make a superb acrobatic save to tip it over the angle of post and bar.

There was an even better chance for the Eagles after the restart when Lokilo once again caused problems down the right and found recent Republic of Ireland under-18 international call-up Kian Flanagan at the back post. He in turn gave the ball to Baptiste who looked destined to score, but the striker delayed his shot deciding what foot to hit it with and Turner managed to smother the ball at his feet.

The hosts were then awarded a penalty when the referee spotted some shirt pulling in the box, and Harry Brockbank found the net from 12 yards. However his celebrations were cut short due to some encroachment in the area and Brockbank was forced to retake it, and at the second time of asking McAdden produced a great stop to keep Palace in the game.

But the second goal would finally arrive when a counter-attack led to a Bolton corner, and Samizadeh escaped his marker’s clutches to power in a header and clinch the win for the Trotters.